Detroit Tigers: Four Potential Trades Involving Sanchez, Lowe and Pelfrey

Trade #2 Tigers Take a Flier on Matt Garza

Trade Partner: Milwaukee Brewers
Potential Trade: Detroit Tigers Trade Mike Pelfrey, Mark Lowe and Anthony Gose for Matt Garza
Incoming Salary: $12 million
Outgoing Salary: $13.5 million

Come the start of 2017, Matt Garza may be on the outside looking in where the Milwaukee Brewers rotation is concerned.

The team has Zach Davies, Junior Guerra, Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson and Chase Anderson all returning. Additionally, Brent Suter, Taylor Jungmann and Tyler Cravy could also battle for a starting spot.

Milwaukee may be better off with a pitcher like Pelfrey as a veteran depth option as opposed to Garza, who was tagged for a similarly-high 1.50 WHIP last season.

The Brewers would also be able to plug in Lowe as a veteran option in a young bullpen.

However, the real appeal may be Gose. Wynton Bernard would be another outfielder who could appeal to the Brewers, who love to run.

Craig Counsell’s team finished the season with a league-high 181 stolen bases—Cincinnati was next closest at 139. The Brew Crew also came in ninth in team BsR.

As it stands, speedster and former Tiger Hernan Perez is slated to start in right field. His fellow outfielders include the slugging Ryan Braun and Kirk Nieuwenhuis (-0.2 BsR) who isn’t the best fit for Milwaukee’s running ways.

Adding Gose would give the Brewers another base-stealing threat to throw at opposing teams next season.

Detroit’s Side of the Deal

In addition to save a small amount of cash, the Tigers would pick up an intriguing bounce-back candidate.

Like Street, Garza has seen more successful seasons, but his 4.33 FIP and 4.49 xFIP last season suggest there’s still upside to be had as a back-of-the-rotation arm.

Detroit could even use the ex-Twin as a swingman of sorts to lessen Fulmer, Norris and Boyd’s innings.

Despite not being the front-line starter he used to be, Garza has logged a 4.23 FIP since joining the Brewers in 2014. On an expiring contract, he’s well worth the risk.